Spiritual – The EMFhttps://www.theemf.org
The Every Mind FainThu, 07 Mar 2019 23:15:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.4Prophet Zakariya Story of Zakariyahttps://www.theemf.org/prophet-zakariya-story-of-zakariya/
Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:05:45 +0000https://www.theemf.org/prophet-zakariya-story-of-zakariya/Prophet Zakariya is a Prophet in the Qur’an who is also known as Zechariah from the Biblical Traditions. He hailed from the lineage of Prophet Suleiman (King Solomon) and was a Prophet of the Israelites. His wife “Al-Yashbi” was a descendent of Prophet Harun (Aaron) and was as pious and righteous as her husband. According …

]]>Prophet Zakariya is a Prophet in the Qur’an who is also known as Zechariah from the Biblical Traditions. He hailed from the lineage of Prophet Suleiman (King Solomon) and was a Prophet of the Israelites. His wife “Al-Yashbi” was a descendent of Prophet Harun (Aaron) and was as pious and righteous as her husband. According to the Qur’anic traditions Zakiriya was the Guardian of Mariam (Mary), Mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus) and was also given the task of being the trustee for Hekal. His livelihood came about from working as a carpenter.

Despite being poor and of old age, Zakariya was a staunch and zealous worshipper who did not let his feebleness obstruct his daily sermons. He was not rich however he was always willing to help others and guide them to the true path. His kinsmen, unfortunately, were always seduced by their material pursuits into mischief and evil deeds which worried Zakiriya a lot. He knew that his people were weak in their faith and were always ready to change the Holy Laws to their liking and therefore needed a strong leader to keep them on the path of Allah. Adding to his troubles was the disappointment that he did not have any children to continue the teachings of Hekal after him. His state of affairs made him anxious and long for a son to maintain the teachings of the Mosaic Law after his death.

During one of his visits to Mariam he was surprised to find fresh and out of season fruit in her secluded room. Since no one except him visited her, he inquired about the source of fresh fruit and was told that it was from Allah that she got every morning. Mariam questioned Zakariya’s surprise as he was supposed to know that Allah gives without any limitations to whom He wills. The incident marked a great impression on Zakariya and he stood out in prayer in his sanctuary all night requesting Allah to bless him with a good son. He knew that he was himself ninety years old and his wife had been long past the childbearing age, however he had full faith in Allah’s power and mercy as nothing was impossible for the Almighty.

Zakariya’s call in secret to Allah for a son was fulfilled and he was given the glad tidings of Yahya (John), pure from sins, righteous and dutiful towards his parents and neither arrogant nor disobedient. As a sign of this miracle, Zakariya was told by Allah not to speak to mankind for three days except with signals, and was commanded to worship his Lord as much as possible and glorify Him in the afternoon and evening. According to some historians grass became the food of Zakariyah during these three days as he joined the animals for dinner from the fear of mixing with mankind. Zakariya did not see his son for three days and on the fourth day found him weeping in a grave. Yahya complained to his father of not being told that the span between Heaven and Hell can only be crossed by the tears of weepers. Thus they both wept asking forgiveness and mercy from Allah.

According to Islamic Tradiitons Zakariya died a martyr’s death by escaping from the Israelites and hiding inside a tree which had opened to admit him. Zakariya was believed to have been betrayed by Iblis, the devil, who pointed out the hem of the Prophet’s cloak protruding from the trunk. The Israelites began to saw the tree apart and with it Zakariya, who did not even utter a faint cry when his body was being cut into two.

]]>Book of Shadowshttps://www.theemf.org/book-of-shadows/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 23:57:39 +0000https://www.theemf.org/book-of-shadows/Many practitioners of Wicca have their own special Magick book: The Book of Shadows. Although not all Wiccans use this type of book, it can still be beneficial to have one. Other practitioners call it as the magic journal, Witch’s notebook, and much more; yet, they all refer to the same Book. It is very …

]]>Many practitioners of Wicca have their own special Magick book: The Book of Shadows. Although not all Wiccans use this type of book, it can still be beneficial to have one. Other practitioners call it as the magic journal, Witch’s notebook, and much more; yet, they all refer to the same Book.

It is very easy to make

Starting your own Wiccan Book of Shadows is easy: You just need a book/notebook for you to write on. Design the notebook in any way you want. Other practitioners of the Craft align the ornaments of their Book with their magical correspondence. Remember, Magick is an Art; hence, your sacred Book may be composed of anything (in fact, even an online Book will do) from the cheapest to the most expensive Book. It does not matter as long as the writings therein contain the true reflections of your heart.

Be completely honest – know thyself

You must never forget that your Book of Shadows must contain an honest reflection of your soul. It may include both your light and dark sides. Many people think of the Book of Shadows merely as a compilation of spells – and this view is wrong. Though a Book of Shadows naturally contains some list of spells and magical recipes of the Witch, yet, it is still much more than that. A true Book of Shadows serves as a mirror of the Magician’s soul. Hence, feel free to write your heart out. After all, everything, from the most diminutive atom up to the grandest multiverse (and beyond), is true Magick.

The rule: Other people are not allowed to touch your Book

Many practitioners make it as a strict rule that there is nobody else in the world that should read (or even touch) the said Book but only the owner himself/herself; while others do not mind at all. In fact, some even offer their magical Books to the public. There is no law regarding this matter. Hence, feel free to do whatever pleases you.

Important note: It is not a requirement

It is also important to note that writing a magical journal will not make you “more- of-a-Witch”. If you write your Book just because you have read somewhere that Witches write these Books, then you might want to reconsider your decision. You have this Book because you are happy to have it. You write your heart out because you want to do so. Note: There are great Wiccans and Magicians who have not even written even a single Book at all.

For many practitioners, having a Book of Shadows allows them to more easily view and record their spiritual development. It allows them to “think outside the box” and view themselves from a different perspective, perhaps clearer. It is very helpful to them and they enjoy the experience.

Remember: It is an art

You can write in your book in any way you want (even draw if you want). You may write either in print or cursive. In fact, you may also use codes to ensure that no other people can understand what you have written. It is all up to you and it does not matter at all. Remember, it is your Book of Shadows; you own it.

Magick is an Art; and writing a Book of Shadows is also an art. Let your true Self guide you. Write the most honest whispers of your heart. You might want to cleanse your Book when you use it for the first time, but if your heart does not tell you to do so, then you are free not to. After all, the Book, no matter how great it has been written, still serves only as a mere reflection of your utmost Self. Burn the Book, and the Witch still lives.

]]>Comfort in the Churchhttps://www.theemf.org/comfort-in-the-church/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 22:40:01 +0000https://www.theemf.org/comfort-in-the-church/I am of the opinion that it may not just be the American church, but the same is true in many countries. For the sake of this article, we will focus on America and the churches there and their comfort and lack thereof. Jesus in Mark 11:17 said that His house was not a den …

]]>I am of the opinion that it may not just be the American church, but the same is true in many countries. For the sake of this article, we will focus on America and the churches there and their comfort and lack thereof. Jesus in Mark 11:17 said that His house was not a den of thieves but a house of prayer. Nathan told King David “thou art the man”, basically calling him a murderer. The answer to this question rests in John 1:14 when the Bible says Jesus was full of grace and truth. Our churches should be balanced! Not balanced with rock and hymns! Not balanced with partying and good! Balanced with the preaching in the church. There is a time for a hot sermon and there is a time for a sermon to encourage but that is determined by the Holy Spirit and He tells the preacher what to preach.

II Timothy 4:2 says to preach the word and to reprove and rebuke and exhort because the time is going to come (v.3) when people will only go to church to have their ears tickled. People like to hear that they are good and that everything is always okay and the truth is that everything is not always okay. People need to go to church and hear about their sin. They also need to go to hear Jesus loves them, which may be the greatest truth a person can hear. Many churches have a very casual atmosphere where you can go in a pair of flip flops and t-shirt and walk in and hear some rock music and a sweet little story and go home and call that church. If a person was invited to the white house, what would they wear? Isn’t church more important? Church is supposed to be a time to hear the Word of God preached and beg the Holy Spirit to convict and act on that conviction. That is not the popular, modern church today as we have in our minds that the Bible way is too old fashion. God says in the Bible that He changes not (Malachi 3:6)!

I want to use an illustration of President Andrew Jackson! One Sunday morning, Andrew Jackson headed off to church along with his crew of security. As the security entered the church, one of them headed to the front to talk to the preacher. He told the preacher that President Andrew Jackson would be attending and that he should avoid saying anything that could offend the President. The preacher began preaching and towards the end of the sermon, he said “I understand President Andrew Jackson is here in the service this morning and if the President is not saved, he will go straight to hell if he dies unsaved.” After the service, the President approached the preacher and said he wishes he had more brave men like him.

Some of the greatest days of America seeing revival were when men like Billy Sunday came and preached. He would come and liquor stores would shut down. Now, preachers are drinking liquor after Sunday service. Let’s stop playing church and get serious about serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

]]>A new season for the Churchhttps://www.theemf.org/a-new-season-for-the-church-6/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 20:01:13 +0000https://www.theemf.org/a-new-season-for-the-church-6/Many ages have dawned and set in the history of the Church. What began as a small community of 120 people awaiting the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has spread across the globe to include millions of people. Despite the many seasons of the Church, something is remarkably different about the one now commencing. Mayan …

]]>Many ages have dawned and set in the history of the Church. What began as a small community of 120 people awaiting the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has spread across the globe to include millions of people. Despite the many seasons of the Church, something is remarkably different about the one now commencing.

Mayan predictions aside, this year, 2012, is a demarcation point of a new day. The Lord has been and continues to prepare His Bride for this new age in which she will shine like never before. This time, however, her light will not dim again for she will be attaining a glory and growing in that glory until the great wedding feast.

Each season of the past has restored an aspect of what the Church is to be and it has not taken root in every group. But this time, we are going to see a culmination of the many things restored falling into position to provide a strength the world has never seen. This time we will see churches that are not built on Jesus begin to fade away into obscurity. This time love will truly shine forth that will cause people to be jealous for the Lord. This love will be compelling. It will heal on the spot. It will set the captives free. This is because Jesus is being formed in His Church and He will lead her in a manner never before seen even when He was on the earth. It will be different this time. It will be more glorious.

We are leaving a season of sowing with no return and entering a season of reaping the harvest we have sown. For those who have sown well this will be a season of awe. For others it will be a rude awakening, but one of grace and mercy. Because to taste in this life the results of what they have sown, they can see their need for the Lord to make straight their path. They will see the mercy of the Lord in great measure and come to repentance. Today is the day of salvation. Those who did not sow in the Lord will reap accordingly. This is why love is going to be the key. When we respond to those who are looking for their harvest with love rather than disdain, they can come into Jesus and find He is faithful even when they were not.

We need to be able to see, to discern, what the Lord is doing. We must be able to hear His voice and know His ways. We cannot judge things based on what we see with our natural eyes. We will become blinded by the bounty of the good things of the Lord and miss the Lord in our time of gain. Nothing is worth gaining if we do not gain the Lord. If we sowed by our own strength and methods we will reap the results of that natural success, but the Lord will not be in it. If the bounty does not come from His fountain, then there is no point in any of it.

The picture of what 2012 and subsequent years will look like for the Church can only be ever so carefully projected, for our words will not fully express the reality for the reality will be more real than any other age. Last season was a training ground, and in this season those who were trained in battle will be training the masses for advancement. We have been trained to see with the eyes of our spirit and that is going to become more and more vital as time goes on. We need to see what we cannot see with our natural eyes to accurately navigate the coming wave of the Lord. We must see Jesus or we will miss all that He is doing.

]]>The Christian Orthodox Church in the United Stateshttps://www.theemf.org/the-christian-orthodox-church-in-the-united-states/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:43:11 +0000https://www.theemf.org/the-christian-orthodox-church-in-the-united-states/That adherence to Biblical teaching in the New Testament not only is distinct of individual Orthodox believers, but it is the foundation of the entire Orthodox church and its claim to be the “original New Testament church.” The Bible speaks of one undivided church, consisting of all Christians, regardless of where they attended church locally. …

]]>That adherence to Biblical teaching in the New Testament not only is distinct of individual Orthodox believers, but it is the foundation of the entire Orthodox church and its claim to be the “original New Testament church.” The Bible speaks of one undivided church, consisting of all Christians, regardless of where they attended church locally.

That universal church is said to have begun on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ’s resurrection. Father Paul Burholt, priest of The Protecting Veil of the Most Holy Theotokos, a Christian Orthodox mission, in Kerrville, Texas. Orthodox Christians believe they are the continuation of that ancient Orthodox Christian Church, and they can trace their history through official ordinations of their priesthood back to Christ and appointments made by the apostles.

Today, the term which means “correct believing” or “correct, true glory” not only designates Christians who adhere to the teachings of Jesus found in the Bible, but it designates all churches that are part of the Orthodox lineage. Burtholt warned, however, that not all churches who take the Orthodox name actually are part of the official Orthodox church.

Burholt said Orthodox Christians don’t claim that all other churches fail to adhere to Biblical teaching. Their assertion is that no other denomination has direct ties to or is in fact the original church, but this lineage is, for Orthodox Christians, no mere boasting point. The church’s traditionalism is center to its beliefs, affecting the life of the church and the lifestyles of its parishioners, Burholt said.

While many churches have evolved during the last 2,000 years, changing their structure, styles of worship and membership requirements, often times, to attract and keep new believers, the Orthodox church maintains that to be Christian, people must change, not the church.

“We have to ask ourselves if the worship is just an expression of what we feel comfortable with, or if it is heavenly,” Burholt said. “Orthodox doesn’t agree with the idea of making a church fit your temperament, or a family,’ where the purpose is for people to feel accepted. When we come to Christ, we are the ones that have to change, not the church. “We have to defeat our culture and the idea that getting our needs met is what’s most important,” Burholt said.

Orthodox Life

Burholt said the Orthodox Christian lives a life both in and out of church akin to how the apostles lived, following Jesus’ direction in every aspect of their lives. While Burholt admits it’s a challenging life to live in modern modern America, it isn’t impossible, and the church recognizes that no one does it perfectly.

“Orthodoxy is interesting to people, perhaps, because it’s a bit exotic,” Burholt said. “But it’s very difficult to be Orthodox. It’s very counter culture. There’s not puritanical rules, but the whole mindset of Orthodox practices is very counter culture in America.”

The pursuit of the Orthodox life is what’s important, he said.

“We’re all a work in progress,” Burholt said. “Being in the church, the priest is not going to tell you that you can no longer do this or that, but as time goes on, you begin to see things in your life that need to change, that you want to change.”

Burholt said the Orthodox lifestyle is characterized by a life lived in prayer, fasting and moral purity. Burholt said fasting is one element of Orthodoxy that puzzles outsiders.

“Fasting is very important to us, but it’s not for the purpose of gaining merit,” Burholt said. “It’s because we know we need to tame our impulses. It’s not that we see food as evil, or that we’re vegetarians. It’s just that at certain times of the year, we abstain, or hold back from the good things God gives us to restrain our crazy passions.”

Fasting and prayer for the Saints, which Burholt said is another often misunderstood Orthodox practice, keeps believers “watchful” and able to live a holy life.

“These practices are a spiritual weapon or tool based on the Orthodox emphasis on reducing distractions and keeping the heart pure, not from other people, but from nonsense of this life,” Burholt said. “God doesn’t need us to suffer, but we have so many compromises in our lives, fasting and withholding good things from ourselves, helps us keep in mind the eternal kingdom.”

Icons

Burholt said the importance of images and saints in the Christian Orthodox faith is associated with the church’s belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ that he was fully God and fully human. The use of icons in the church, particularly those that depict Mother Mary and Jesus, Burholt said, helps believers grasp Jesus’ humanity, he said.

“Images are absolutely central to us, because we believe that Jesus was fully human and fully God,” Burholt said. “When he came as a man, he was made visible. If he wasn’t made flesh, we couldn’t be able to portray him.

“It’s very important to know the face of Christ, so it is really important that we can see and touch during worship,” he said. “Every object, every human and everything that is created really is an icon, and they all show the beauty of God.”

The same is true for the church’s regard for Mother Mary, Burholt said.

“It’s really about who Jesus is,” Burholt said. “We have a very high regard for the Mother of God, but it’s because of her son, who was truly God made man.”

The purpose of praying to the Saints, Burholt said, is to embrace the “eternal” nature of God and the communion of all believers, both those who still are living and those who have died and now are living in Heaven.

“We don’t worship them; the icon is not an idol, but we respect the icon, and we pray in front of it. They’re mediums in which we are brought into the Kingdom of God.”

“It’s a lense or a window in which we see the Heavenly world. It’s like a telescope, he said.

He added that Orthodox Christians have a “great belief” that death is not a barrier among believers, which is why they can pray for each other, even after death.

“We don’t have a problem with prayer of the saints, we pray for the departed faithful, and they pray for us because they lived this life and now are with God,” Burholt said. “When we pray, we take every human person into our hearts.”

Burholt admitted that this element of Orthodoxy often is difficult for outsiders to understand.

“In a sense, Orthodoxy is very other worldly,’ because we talk a lot about the eternal kingdom,” Burholt said. “But it’s also this worldly, because we incorporate a lot of the senses and the physical, especially with icons. So, we recognize that this world is very important. It’s full of God’s glory.

“For us, Salvation is not just being saved, but it’s communing with God, and that is why we honor the saints,” he added.

Condition of Man

As salvation is concerned, Burholt said Orthodox Christians don’t “evangelize” in the traditional sense, or seek out nonbelievers to convert. He said Orthodox Christians simply live their lives willing to share their faith with whomever they come into contact. When it comes to explaining their salvation to others, Burholt said Orthodox believers rely on a “medical” model to explain man’s condition and relationship to God, compared to a type of “legal” model used by many Evangelical churches use.

The Orthodox model, he said, identifies man’s ultimate problem as an inherent “sickness” that only Christ can heal.

“Rather than the legal model of being acquitted,’ Orthodox embraces a medical model,’ that salvation provides healing,” Burholt said. “We take a healing approach that looks at people as being sick.’ Orthodoxy says God is good and loves mankind, but that doesn’t mean our salvation is automatic.”

Orthodoxy believes that man must accept that he is sick, and accept God’s offer of healing, Burholt said.

“God doesn’t throw people into the darkness, but he allows them healing,” he said. “It’s much more challenging to respond to love than fear.

“If all of us are sick, and this (God) is the healing, then we want the real thing, not the generic thing,” Burholt said. “For us, we’ve found salvation and communion with God in the Orthodox church.”

]]>Websites devoted to learning about the Catholic faithhttps://www.theemf.org/websites-devoted-to-learning-about-the-catholic-faith/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:00:18 +0000https://www.theemf.org/websites-devoted-to-learning-about-the-catholic-faith/There are many reliable websites that offer information and resources on the Catholic Faith. The Catholic Church’s relationship with the world begins in Vatican City, located in Rome, Italy. The Vatican’s (Holy See) website is available in eight languages. Historical information as well as the most up-to-date information from Vatican City and the world as it relates to the Catholic faith can be found …

]]>There are many reliable websites that offer information and resources on the Catholic Faith. The Catholic Church’s relationship with the world begins in Vatican City, located in Rome, Italy. The Vatican’s (Holy See) website is available in eight languages. Historical information as well as the most up-to-date information from Vatican City and the world as it relates to the Catholic faith can be found on this site. Catholic church teachings, its traditions and doctrine are showcased and explained as well as the history of many famous Biblical people.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is another informative site that outlines current concerns, policies, and issues that Catholic Bishops are called to address. The American Bishops meet twice yearly to discuss policies, doctrines, and have elections that affect the American Catholic faithful. The mandates and decisions made during these meetings are showcased on this website.

The National Catholic Register is known as America’s Most Reliable Catholic News Source. Seasoned and experienced journalists provide timely news on events that affect the Catholic Church and the world at large. Some of the topics covered are travel, entertainment, art, education, books, news and editorials.

Catholic Relief Services offers readers the opportunity to see how the Catholic faithful assist poor and vulnerable people of all creeds, race and religion across the globe, during times of natural and man-made disasters. This relief service is devoted and dedicated to carrying out this mission mandated by the American Bishops. The website showcases current missions and offers opportunities for site visitors to donate time and/or resources to assist with these missions.

Inform, Inspire, and Ignite is the mission of the Catholic Online Website. This site offers information on Catholic life, prayer, daily readings, the Bible, Saints and online shopping opportunities. The website comes to life with audio and videos on a wealth of topics as well as breaking news alerts.

The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) offers the best of both worlds; besides being a website, it is also a television network that operates out of Irondale, Alabama that is exclusively devoted to the Catholic faith. EWTN also broadcasts via Catholic radio stations across the nation and Canada. As a website, EWTN offers something for everyone. There is a Catholic Q&A section, a children’s section, and a religious catalogue among much more that is all attuned to the Catholic faith. Visitors to the site can learn how to visit the EWTN site in Alabama as well as the nearby shrine where EWTN founder Mother Angelica and her religious sisters live and pray. Besides visiting EWTN there is also no shortage of shrines, churches, and basilicas in other parts of the United States as well as across the world to visit.

There are also many ways for Catholics to express their faith, and it can be through jewelry, books, CDs and other types of resources and icons that will help educate as well as evangelize. You can help perpetuate the Catholic faith by using gift-giving ideas found on the #1 Catholic Store Website. Find items appropriate for every Catholic season (e.g., Advent, Lent) and sacramental occasion, such as baptism and Holy Orders.

]]>Moses’ divine instruction on governing a nationhttps://www.theemf.org/moses-divine-instruction-on-governing-a-nation/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:48:49 +0000https://www.theemf.org/moses-divine-instruction-on-governing-a-nation/God’s instructions to Moses on how to properly govern a nation are simple in nature. Though models of future nations (such as the United States) duplicated this divine design, the original plans hold moral stipulations which are inherently missing in all modern replicas of government. Many founding fathers of the United States acknowledged the necessity …

]]>God’s instructions to Moses on how to properly govern a nation are simple in nature. Though models of future nations (such as the United States) duplicated this divine design, the original plans hold moral stipulations which are inherently missing in all modern replicas of government. Many founding fathers of the United States acknowledged the necessity of moral values coupled with a proper democratic design of governmental power. John Adams, for example, stated, “[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.”

Birth pangs of establishing a nation and its government

Moses was God’s chosen leader for His People. His primary task was to lead them out of slavery from Egypt. However, after physically guiding the young nation out into the desert towards the Promised Land of Israel, Moses was given the task to govern His People as well. It’s one thing to release the shackles of slavery from their bodies. It’s something wholly different to rewire their thinking so that, in the long term, these former slaves can effectively and independently govern themselves.

Physically, the people of Israel were, at this time, grown men and women with children of their own. Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; however, they were a nation of babes, in need of constant guidance and leadership. This is not too much unlike any group of people who possess new-found governmental freedom. So shortly into this historical trek across the desert, Moses was confronted with the burden of not only showing the nation a geographical way, but a daily way of living.

Don’t govern alone

In the Book of Exodus, Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law) points out that Moses was needlessly placing the responsibility of governing the nation solely on his shoulders. Chapter 18, verses 17-23, outlines Jethro’s observations and subsequent plans for lighting Moses’ governing load over the people.

17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (NIV version)
This outline of delegating leadership responsibilities is echoed later in the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy as God instructs Moses (in greater detail) on how to govern this newly formed nation of Israel.

Instruct a Nation on the Laws

Before gaining the ability to govern a nation, the people need to know what is expected of them. In the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God instructs Moses on His Laws and then commands that he relay these to the people; not just to a select few, but to the entire nation.

1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them:… (Leviticus 1:1-2a, NIV version).
While the Ten Commandments were the basic premise of God’s government, He also laid out multiple rules and regulations, encompassing every aspect of the nation’s daily living. God had Moses deliver to the people laws concerning everything from the foods they should eat, the proper way to clean a house of mildew, to what a man should do if he comes across his neighbor’s lost cattle. While the majority of the laws were related to religious, social, and moral behavior expected of every citizen, God even instructed Moses on personal indebtedness. (Leviticus 25:1-7)

Interwoven into the listing of laws for the people were the consequences for breaking the laws. And, as a reminder to all the people, there was a time set aside annually for these laws to be reread to the entire nation. In this way, God instructed Moses to be diligent in insuring that he was governing a nation knowledgeable of God’s expectations.

Divide Leadership Responsibilities

“Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.” (Deuteronomy 16:18, NIV version)
As seen in Jethro’s advise in the Book of Exodus, God instructed Moses to divide the responsibility of governing the nation instead of shouldering it all alone. This division of leadership is mirrored in today’s democratic governments, but those chosen to be judges had to follow strict morals. The selection process here was not by popular vote or even based upon who had the most experience. Instead these men (notice, not men or women) had to not only be capable of completing the tasks of judge, but also “men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.” (Exodus 18: 21, NIV version) In other words, men of outstanding religious and moral character. (Such qualifications are not always a requirement in today’s governmental positions.)

No Double Standards

God specifically instructs Moses that when the nation decides to elect a king to rule over them, the same laws and consequences were to apply to him as to the rest of the people. Actually, the king was to be held to even higher standards than the rest of the nation. These standards were recorded in Deuteronomy 17:14-20:

15 [B]e sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left…(NIV version)
Imagine if all nations today held their appointed heads of state to such strict moral standards.

Look towards God, not Man

The most important aspect of God’s instructions to Moses on governing a nation was in who he (and the entire nation) were to look towards for daily guidance and instruction. While He instructed Moses on what laws to follow, who to appoint to certain positions of responsibility, God’s first and foremost instruction (command) was to not depend upon man and what he could do in his own power. Moses was to look towards God. Because, regardless of the design, this divine government would fail to work without the heart of the people leaning on God.

]]>The Feast of Corpus Christihttps://www.theemf.org/the-feast-of-corpus-christi/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:00:01 +0000https://www.theemf.org/the-feast-of-corpus-christi/The Feast of the Body of Christ (or Corpus Christi) is celebrated the Thursday after Trinity Sunday to honor the institution of the Holy Eucharist. St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon in Belgium is responsible for the incorporation of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Juliana was born in 1193 in Retíenes and passed away April 5, …

]]>The Feast of the Body of Christ (or Corpus Christi) is celebrated the Thursday after Trinity Sunday to honor the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon in Belgium is responsible for the incorporation of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Juliana was born in 1193 in Retíenes and passed away April 5, 1258 at the House of Cistercian nuns at Fosses. She was orphaned as a small child and taken in by the Augustinian sisters of Mont Cornillon. She later entered their order. Juliana was deeply devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and wanted a special feast set aside in its honor. A vision of the Church under a full moon that had one, single dark spot, increased the urgency of her desire to petition for a special feast day. The dark spot signified the absence of a solemn occasion. She relayed her request to Robert De Thorete, the Bishop of Líege, Jacques Pantalèon, the Archdeacon of Líege and the educated Dominican Hugh. The Bishop of Líege was impressed by Juliana’s request and called for a synod in 1246 that established the celebration and setting the day for the celebration to occur the following year.

The decree was interred in Benterim with other parts of the Office. Official prayers of the Church that are composed for a specific holy day are called its “Office”. Bishop Robert died October16, 1246, before the execution of the order. The cannons of St. Martin at Líege were the first to celebrate the Holy Feast of Corpus Christi.

Henry Guelders, the new Bishop of Líege was the first to contact the current pope to establish the feast day throughout the world. Jacques Pantalèon was named Pope Urban IV on August 29, 1261. Pope Urban IV released the Bull “Transiturus” on September 8, 1264 which ordered the yearly celebration of Corpus Christi. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the official Office for the feast at Pope Urban IV’s request. The feast is celebrated the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.

Pope Urban IV died October 2,1264. His death slowed down the observation of the feast day until the new pope, Pope Clement V took it to the General Council of Vienna in 1311. He ordered the adoption of the holy day and published a new decree which was based on that of Urban IV. The pope following Clement V, John XXII also encouraged the observance of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

The Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated for centuries by a procession in which the Eucharist or Sacred Host was carried through the streets of town while parishioners sang hymns and recited prayers. This parade rarely occurs anymore, except for certain parishes that parade in close proximity to their local church.

]]>Testimonies the Search for Belief in Godhttps://www.theemf.org/testimonies-the-search-for-belief-in-god/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:19:38 +0000https://www.theemf.org/testimonies-the-search-for-belief-in-god/I look out of my window everyday and I see more than a picture, a sight, I see a creation that must of had a creator. The perfection of the birds and their pitch when they sing. The way they soar and fly in the skies and perch on the smallest of branches balancing on …

]]>I look out of my window everyday and I see more than a picture, a sight, I see a creation that must of had a creator. The perfection of the birds and their pitch when they sing. The way they soar and fly in the skies and perch on the smallest of branches balancing on the wisps of the wind. The beauty of the sun when it shimmers at its most brightest. The way it reflects of any piece of glass and mirrors itself with its original powerful gleam. I could go on forever and yet something pulls me back from saying that I identify this ‘god’, this ‘creator’ that made this divine world we live in. My life has been made with many ups and many downs. At the age of 18, I have experienced things I doubt many in their later years have felt. I dont regret them, I just dont understand them and I have much anger inside that I channel to the ‘God’ that instigated these events in my life. When my three best friends died at the age of 16 in a car accident and myself and the adult driver survived the question why me and why them becomes a constant reminder of the imbalance and injustice that seems to drain our world today. Im lucky, yet I was only sitting a few cetimetres away from my friend. What did she do to deserve to die at such a young age. What did any of them do to deserve such a horrid end. A sense of guilt and blame will always be a part of me but more so a sense of questioning and not understanding how these things work. If life is so easily granted and taken does it not indicate a God of choice and power. Surely had you the choice to take a life of an elderly gentlemen who has lived life to the full and is ready to pass with a teenager who is still at school experiencing his or her first crush and has many ambitions for life you would choose the elderly man. I have explored many faiths to try and ‘find myself’ but the overwhelming feeling of forgiveness when I enter a church makes me break away and contine to dwell on my exploration of God and his true motives behind Human life and us.

]]>Is Jesus God Man or bothhttps://www.theemf.org/is-jesus-god-man-or-both-4/
Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:00:21 +0000https://www.theemf.org/is-jesus-god-man-or-both-4/After reading a few of the articles on this topic, I must say, I was very disappointed. As a servant of Christ, I truly wonder how it is that those who call themselves Christians don’t know the answer to this one. Jesus is God, manifested in the flesh; period, end of story. And now after …

]]>After reading a few of the articles on this topic, I must say, I was very disappointed. As a servant of Christ, I truly wonder how it is that those who call themselves Christians don’t know the answer to this one. Jesus is God, manifested in the flesh; period, end of story. And now after relating this comment, man’s controversies come into play. Because men are foolish and have a tendency, more often then not, to complicate an issue. Simplicity does not exist among us because doubt, fear, and uncertainty clouds the minds of those who “think” as opposed to those who “know”. And so I will elaborate a little further due to the perceptions of the “foolish man” and his stubborn and rebellious heart.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God(John 1:1). Skipping ahead… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory (as of) the only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth(John 1:14). Hold your thoughts I’m just getting started…

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life-and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and manifested to us(1John 1:1,2).

You see, the Lord found it fitting to manifest Himself as a man(in the flesh), among our ancestors, because of our ways and our deeds. Mankind has always been easily misled, following their own thoughts and their own ways. So I contemplate reason; being that of the reason as to why God would come to us in the flesh. Seemingly, men follow their eyes and need some form of a visual Deity to depict a path for them to follow. And thus God has done for us. For the purpose of Christ was to fulfill a prophecy once decreed, produce doctrine and testimony embodied in a Revelation to be revealed in the end times; namely to reconcile the world to Himself. And though Christ isn’t among us, in the flesh(though He is),He most certainly remains among the elect in Word and Spirit. For He has committed to us(that’s you and me) the Word of reconciliation. And to the Christian who still blindly contemplates meaningless controversy, such as the topic at hand, is one in the same as he who walks backward with inability to move forward.

In Him was Life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it…(John 1:4,5)